Introduction Indian martial arts represent a significant yet often overlooked aspect of India's rich cultural…
MCQs on “The Tradition of Indian Storytelling: From Epics to Folk Narratives”
1. Which of the following Indian epics is considered the longest epic poem in the world?
A. Ramayana
B. Mahabharata
C. Shakuntala
D. Jataka Tales
Answer: B. Mahabharata
2. The oral tradition of storytelling in India is often associated with which group of performers?
A. Yakshagana artists
B. Kathakars
C. Bharatanatyam dancers
D. Odissi performers
Answer: B. Kathakars
3. The Panchatantra, a collection of Indian fables, was originally written in which language?
A. Sanskrit
B. Pali
C. Prakrit
D. Tamil
Answer: A. Sanskrit
4. The Jataka Tales are associated with the teachings of which religious figure?
A. Mahavira
B. Buddha
C. Adi Shankaracharya
D. Guru Nanak
Answer: B. Buddha
5. Which traditional form of storytelling in Tamil Nadu combines narration, music, and drama?
A. Harikatha
B. Koodiyattam
C. Villu Paatu
D. Therukoothu
Answer: C. Villu Paatu
6. The tradition of Pattachitra storytelling is native to which Indian state?
A. West Bengal
B. Odisha
C. Maharashtra
D. Gujarat
Answer: B. Odisha
7. Yakshagana, a traditional form of storytelling, is popular in which region of India?
A. Kerala
B. Rajasthan
C. Karnataka
D. Punjab
Answer: C. Karnataka
8. Which of the following is a major theme of Indian storytelling traditions?
A. Individualism
B. Cosmic order (Dharma)
C. Scientific exploration
D. Economic development
Answer: B. Cosmic order (Dharma)
9. The term “Katha” in Indian storytelling refers to what?
A. Dance
B. Narrative or story
C. Theater
D. Prayer
Answer: B. Narrative or story
10. Which Mughal emperor is known for popularizing storytelling sessions at his court?
A. Babur
B. Akbar
C. Shah Jahan
D. Aurangzeb
Answer: B. Akbar
11. The Ramcharitmanas, a retelling of the Ramayana, was written by which Indian poet?
A. Kalidasa
B. Tulsidas
C. Valmiki
D. Kabir
Answer: B. Tulsidas
12. The folk storytelling form “Baul Geet” is native to which Indian state?
A. Assam
B. West Bengal
C. Madhya Pradesh
D. Uttar Pradesh
Answer: B. West Bengal
13. The Bheel community of Rajasthan practices which form of storytelling?
A. Phad
B. Gond
C. Baul
D. Therukoothu
Answer: A. Phad
14. Which Indian text serves as a primary source for both moral and strategic lessons through storytelling?
A. Arthashastra
B. Panchatantra
C. Upanishads
D. Manusmriti
Answer: B. Panchatantra
15. In Andhra Pradesh, the “Burra Katha” storytelling form typically involves how many performers?
A. One
B. Two
C. Three
D. Four
Answer: C. Three
16. The tradition of “Dastangoi” storytelling originated in which language?
A. Persian
B. Hindi
C. Urdu
D. Sanskrit
Answer: C. Urdu
17. The “Kathakali” dance-drama is based on stories from which Indian epics?
A. Mahabharata and Ramayana
B. Bhagavata Purana and Vedas
C. Jataka Tales and Upanishads
D. Sangam literature and Kalidasa’s works
Answer: A. Mahabharata and Ramayana
18. The story of Savitri and Satyavan is primarily associated with which Indian text?
A. Mahabharata
B. Ramayana
C. Rigveda
D. Kathasaritsagara
Answer: A. Mahabharata
19. Which storytelling form in Gujarat uses puppets and focuses on mythological tales?
A. Bhavai
B. Kathakali
C. Bhand Pather
D. Kathputli
Answer: D. Kathputli
20. The Sangam literature, a treasure trove of ancient Tamil storytelling, primarily belongs to which time period?
A. 1st century BCE to 2nd century CE
B. 3rd century CE to 5th century CE
C. 5th century BCE to 1st century BCE
D. 10th century CE to 12th century CE
Answer: A. 1st century BCE to 2nd century CE
21. “Hitopadesha,” a collection of moral stories, is a derivative of which ancient text?
A. Jataka Tales
B. Panchatantra
C. Arthashastra
D. Mahabharata
Answer: B. Panchatantra
22. The tribal storytelling art of Warli paintings is associated with which Indian state?
A. Maharashtra
B. Jharkhand
C. Odisha
D. Gujarat
Answer: A. Maharashtra
23. The “Kathasaritsagara” is an ancient compilation of Indian folktales attributed to whom?
A. Valmiki
B. Kalidasa
C. Somadeva
D. Bharavi
Answer: C. Somadeva
24. Harikatha, a devotional storytelling tradition, predominantly focuses on which deity?
A. Shiva
B. Vishnu
C. Durga
D. Ganesha
Answer: B. Vishnu
25. Which of the following is a primary feature of Indian folk storytelling traditions?
A. Fixed scripts
B. Improvisation and oral transmission
C. Use of written manuscripts only
D. Prohibition of music and dance
Answer: B. Improvisation and oral transmission
26. “Tamasha,” a folk storytelling and performance art, originated in which Indian state?
A. Karnataka
B. Maharashtra
C. Rajasthan
D. Madhya Pradesh
Answer: B. Maharashtra
27. The story of Nala and Damayanti is part of which Indian epic?
A. Mahabharata
B. Ramayana
C. Kathasaritsagara
D. Panchatantra
Answer: A. Mahabharata
28. Which region’s storytelling tradition involves the recitation of ballads known as “Lavani”?
A. Punjab
B. Maharashtra
C. Assam
D. Kerala
Answer: B. Maharashtra
29. The Buddhist Jataka Tales are primarily a source of stories about what?
A. Life of the Buddha’s disciples
B. Rebirths of the Buddha
C. Teachings of Jain Tirthankaras
D. Hindu mythological figures
Answer: B. Rebirths of the Buddha
30. In the tradition of Indian storytelling, the primary aim of most stories is to teach what?
A. Economic strategies
B. Moral and ethical lessons
C. Military tactics
D. Technological advancements
Answer: B. Moral and ethical lessons
These questions comprehensively cover the historical, cultural, and thematic aspects of Indian storytelling traditions for civil services preparation.
